This is a great series, isn't it? I have little-to-no memory of it being on the first time round(and had somehow got the idea that it was a children's series), but when I got the first series DVD box set recently I was well impressed. It even includes an entire bonus disk comprising acres of raw footage from an ITV making-of special, which is fantastic in a completist sort of way.
This is exactly the sort of beautifully filmed, atmospheric series that just doesn't get made any more, at least not on British TV. The mystical elements grafted on to the Robin Hood myth by Richard Carpenter work really well, without being forced or unneccessary(various elements of which were later ripped off by *that* Kevin Costner film). Although I have to say the Clannad theme music grates on my nerves a bit, especially after the 20th or so listen.
The theme was parodied in the "White-ish Knight" episode of Maid Marion, if remember rightly. "Ooooooh ooooooh, the White-ish Knight..."
Well anyway, everyone should go out and get Robin of Sherwood because, well, it's ace.
That's why they called him...
Oooh, oooh, the White Knight"
Yeah, gotta admit, I always prefered Maid Marian & Her Merry Men... cripes, that reminds me, I was going to write an article on it. <makes mental note>
Believe it or not, despite the amazing production values and dabblings in the supernatural (which upset Mary Whitehouse very much), it was in fact made and promoted as a children's (or at the very least a family) series. It does indeed still make for very strong viewing now, although personally I always found the fifty minute episodes slightly too long. Mr O'Brien is the Robin Of Sherwood expert round here... anything to add?
"Our name is Clannad, we sing pretentious songs in Gaelic
Our music's traditional, and not at all chromatic
This breathy style is not put on, the truth is we're all asthmatic" - Victor Lewis-Smith, 1990.
I confess that "Legend" is one of my all-time favourite albums, precisely because it contains all the music Clannad wrote for the series. Their "style" may now fall on over-exposed ears, especially since little sister Enya ran with it, but I still feel it is a subtle and haunting soundtrack to a deeply impressive re-telling of the Robin Hood myth. It was one of the best cast shows ever, Ray Winstone as the psychotic Will Scarlet stands out, and so does Judi Trott as the lovely Marian - she looked like she'd just walked out of a Lord Leighton painting. Richard Carpenter's stories made much of English legend, the links of Robin to the land and the forest, the satanic aura around the Sherriff, Gods of nature as protectors of the outlaws, brilliant additions in my opinion. I wish I had a DVD player purely so I could buy the series again - and I think the theme is a thrilling song!